About Transitions: Some Soft & Warm, Some Tough & Rough… But All Successfully… Dialogue Between Nicole Linscott and Pastors Duaine & Pamela

From Your Friend Nico, Nikki, and me, Nicole Linscott

Now Graduated, Now Commenced!

To: DUAINE-PAMELA ALLEN…

Date: Jan 22, 2009 2:16 PM

Subject: Nico says, all of the incredible responsibility, which has befallen me, freaks me out.

Wow, I thank you. I needed that. I have been doing well since last Wed, when I posted that update. Last night was a smash hit. I met 4 new youth and we had a great time playing games and enjoying each others company. I am working very hard on everything that must be done regarding the youth ministry and even many other side projects that I must also take charge of. It is a lot of responsibility, and I have been enjoying it. I have felt the pressure to do every task well.  I have risen to the challenge, I believe. It is refreshing to know that I have such a strong backing, as you. I thank you for your encouragements, loves and supports. It really does help! – Nikki

“Marmie” & “Pops” walking in God’s beautiful creation and loving this life, and praying specifically for you..

From: Duaine & Pamela Allen
Date: Jan 19, 2009 6:26 PM

Well, Nikki, you are a dear friend, an educated, smart, maturing, attractive, and godly young woman, I salute you.  Our real memories, are clear back when we first faced those similar responsibilities, and we too, freaked out by all our new incredible responsibilities me, for church and Pamela for the classroom.  We write to encourage you. Life is not a game. We do not learn before or after life, but during life. You are well prepared for this however, in our opinion! You have Godly Grandparents, Godly parents, and though not perfect definitely Christian.

Please remember a note I wrote with loving care at the time of your final semester, during college, attached again, here for a communication with your lovely mother, Rachel.

Dear Rachel,

We thank you for your kind sentiments and compliments, with appreciation. I believe that Pamela has a gift to teach children and women as surely as God has given any gifts to anyone! She just knows how to touch the hearts, minds, and imaginations of all of her students, in significant ways, inspiring her students for the loftiest achievements, highest goal settings, and profoundest heart attitudes. For all forty years of our marriage, I observe, that your response is a typical response. I speak this statement with amazement and worship to God and His glory, in recognition that, “Pamela has a gift to teach!” and that is a gift from God.

We both appreciate each of you, Carl and Rachel. We love and appreciate both, Nicole and Kyle, very much and pray for them routinely. I just filed a “Friend’s Reference” for the “Assemblies of God” and my friends in the “Penn-Del District”, complimenting and commending Nicole, as a viable and worthy candidate for ministry credentials. I shall attach those notes for your perusal.

We love Summer, as if she were our very own granddaughter. She is a remarkable and darling child. She greets us faithfully, respectfully and genuinely lovingly, and, we her. During the “Dickens of a Christmas”, we Allens, and Shania, and Summer were with us. We Allens make a large group when walking the streets of Wellsboro PA, together and with our friends. I was carrying Esther on my shoulders and Summer came up and walked along with me, holding my hand. I spoke to her, saying that I was very glad that she could be with us whilst we were walking the sidewalks, going to see the model trains. I said to her, “Summer I love you!” She said to me, “I love you Grandpa Allen and I would like to be an, “Allen” someday.” I said, “I hope so, too, Summer!”

Regarding your tardy comments, we are not, nor shall we ever be critical, of you nor any other regarding punctuallity. We know that you are at home getting it ready for the invasion of children coming in for children’s church. Your house is “spick and span”, Pamela observes, even every dish is clean! We too have been tardy, and like you no doubt, usually doing, “behind the scenes”, preparations for those you are serving, and who are sometimes the most critical. Oh well, so goes life. We make it a point not to criticize any one for any reason. Remember, the old adage… “Until you have walked a mile in the other Indians moccasins, don’t criticize.”

Now regarding, Nicole Linscott, she honored me, and submitted my name as her friend and one competent to express a trustworthy opinion regarding her qualifications to fill the sacred trust of a minister of the Gospel. “I submitted to the District Brethren, that I have known Nicole Linscott since the Autumn of 2005, when we moved to Wellsboro PA, and her Father and Mother became our Pastors at her Church the AG “Crossroads Family Worship Center”. We count her as a true friend. She came to me with a delightful greeting and a warm hug on our last meeting, as always. We have remained casual friends, but we have been in each other’s homes and shared meals in restaurants, as well as all church functions.

I told my District Brethren that I believe that Nicole is mature, deliberate, kind, gentle, loving, congenial, trustworthy, tactful, patient, secure, motivated, modest, compassionate, studious, considerate, organized, intelligent, verbally capable, expressive and healthily relaxed. I informed them that she is still single, keeping her priorities straight and morally chaste but available in God’s timing. I believe that she would be a good parent when that time should come, based on my observations with her and her twelve year old sibling, Summer, and her with my own grandchildren. I informed my District Brethren, that I believed that, as a professional minister, Nicole would be competent to keep confidences. I shared with my District Brethren, that I know and love her family, father, Reverend Pastor Carl, mother, Mrs. Pastor, Rachel, credentialed AG ministers, brother, Kyle and sister Summer, Grandparents Reverend Bob & Naomi Lyle, AG credentialed ministers, and Aunt Melissa Lyle, an AG Missionary, formally to both Iceland and Ireland, and now on WLIH Christian radio.

What is more, I told them that I believed that Nicole is a strong Christian, informed and knowledgeable in her studied and committed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in her Christian Journey! I believe that she is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and her Christian walk is consistent. She is friendly, energetic, enthusiastic, and diligent in her living, and in her pulpit and podium presentations. Her sharings are always well… very well prepared. She has a bright mind and a good heart, and she is cooperative as a team player. Frankly, her abilities astonish me, while yet this young, and her capacity at weaving prose, poetry, the literatures of the scriptures and song lyrics, around her thoughts expressing her premises, as it will you. I believe that she is competent and capable to answer the “The Call of God” that she believes is on her life. I believe “That the Call of God” is upon her life, too! She is a very pleasant, a fun, and a delightful person to be with on every occasion. Her mannerisms, in private and public, casually and prudently are pleasing and agreeable. She is youthful, in her attitudes, dress, perspectives, and culture. She is definitely not old-fashioned, which gives her an advantage with other youths, while maintaining acceptance with all adults within our church, and people of every age. She loves God, believes the Bible, prays in faith, and she lives a beautiful Christian life. Yes, she is a worthy candidate for ministry, in my considered opinion. I have six children, six in-law children, and fifteen grandchildren. She knows most of them, is well thought of by them, and she is a good influence upon my twelve grandchildren that live in town. When a younger teen, for a while, she lived in the home of my son, Michael and Carol as a ministry. I believe that you will like her, as we do. She will favorably impress you as a very nice person, from a good family and from an excellent background.

Sincerely In Christ Jesus,

Reverend Duaine Allen.

“Carl & Rachael Linscott” .. wrote:

Pamela,

I just had to tell you that this past Sunday afternoon Summer could not stop talking about the lesson that you were teaching them about Joseph! She said that when you teach lessons, she understands it so clearly, and remembers it. She was so excited and she was telling us the whole Joseph & his brothers story. Moreover, Kyle was correcting her on some of the details, lol. I said, “Kyle, where did you learn your Bible stories from? Royal Rangers?” I just wanted you to know that you get through to the kids and that you are seen as an exciting teacher!

Duaine, you too! In addition, I do apologize for not making it to Sunday School on Sundays. I know that my hang-ups are there to help me grow, but it will be a wonderful day when I finally overcome the tardy thing. Someday I plan to write a book called “The Bondage of Tardiness”. However, I have to overcome it first (with the Lord’s help of course).

Love, Rachel

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Dear Nicole,

We were at your parent’s Church, this morning, and we all love you. Today, your Mamma Rachel, and your Grandmamma Naomi, asked us to pray for you, Nicole. As you approach the end of your final semester of your college-career and face forward to the commencement, the diploma, the ministry, and the crucial issues of your young adult life, you wrestle with the unknown prospects looming mysteriously out there somewhere, and that maybe puzzling you, even mystifying you, and possibly bewildering you. All of that may be frightening, fearsome, and worrisome. We all lovingly lift you up to the Lord in caring knowing prayer.

Nicole, from birth, we all grow through stages of development. Between each stage of development is that awesome transition, from the last lower stage of development to the next higher stage of development. We, Duaine & Pamela, hark back to our college careers and remember very well the very stages of development now and soon facing you and the very transition you are in now. It is there and you will make the transition, no matter to what or to where. However, do not just let the transition happen. Nicole, make it happen!

As encouragement, you made the transition from home and High School-life to College and College-life. You capably handled the transition and admirably. This current transition, from the familiar to the foreign is common to all college seniors. Therefore, Nicole, you are in very good and understanding company. My wife, Pamela, I, Duaine, and our six children and each of their spouses faced this same difficult transition, as you now do.

My own youngest daughter, Sarah Beth, born in 1985, faced your sentiments, thoughts, and prospects in 2004. I wrote this letter to her to encourage her and I want to copy and paste that letter written to her then, right here, now for you, because it is a universal happening and I hope this will be an encouragement to you.

Sincerely In Christ Jesus,

Reverend Duaine & Mrs. Pamela Allen.

Nikki, this following is a chapter from my writings… entitled:

“Talking to My Kids or From a Dad’s Heart”

Sunday, August 22, 2004

Dear Sarah Beth,

I love you, my very dear child.

Today, my eyes look up to the Lord while I am praying for you,

and I see His “Book of Life” written specifically for you.

Psalms 139

“And in Thy Book they were all written,

the days that were ordained for Sarah Beth!”

As I gaze heavenward musing prayerfully…

my quiet confidence grows…

buoyancy in mind and heart arises.

And I sing with you and the angels.

Revelations 4:11

“Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God,

to receive glory and honor and power;

for Thou didst create all things,

and because of Thy will and purposes

they existed, and were created.”

Indications in your “Book of Life”,

thus far, & beyond are glorious.

I catch glimpses of grandeur written on every line, He has reserved for you!

Sarah Beth, every episode is written into your “Book of Life”, and it is written, by your Lord.

He is the very one who , is your best friend… He is Jesus.

He has written your story of choices, scenarios, events, and happenings.

He has penned each episode, delightfully, with wonderment, amazement, enchantment, and satisfaction…

“No Boredom Allowed!”

Though that be true, In your “Book of Life”,

His endowments, choices, scenarios, events, relationships, happenings and challenges come with many chapters.

Some chapters are with labyrinth-mazes, some with hills and valleys, some with “here & there”, some with “now and then”,

some with “Once upon a time…” and some with “And happily ever after!”.

Some chapters come by God’s design, to test you…

but never to defeat you…

but to prove you victorious &

to make you with Him, His conqueror.

Today, my heart ponders the Words of our God, for you, from this “Book of Life”, spoken for you.

While in my prayers, I perceive words of honor, dignity, and worth.

These scripted Words are for you and all “semper hororablus” interns like those that graduated,

now equipped with a “Word from the Lord”.

Jesus speaks to you, Sarah Beth… “I love you and my heart cares for you.”

Our arms embrace your life, His and mine, with a unique strength… kept and spent… for you.

My vigor is a God-ordained paternal security for you.

My tongue tastes more bouquets of delicious flavors

than the “Take Five Café Bar” mugs of your cappuccino.

Like the best beans imported from heaven,

I enjoy the tastes for your future, for your life and for your heart…

You will too!

Like the gourmet mugs, you gave to me;

each was rich with cream, extra hot, and sweet with distinctive flavors;

So too, your prospects are sweet, luscious, authentic and extra warm.

In my prayers today,

I taste the most precious essences of faith, hope, and charity.

I love you in your tearful moments when you feel all alone.

Though, you are away, out there, miles apart… but you are not far away from my heart!

I love you when you care about the strangest new before you.

I love you when you long for the most familiar old behind you.

Sarah Beth remember all of those wonderful times we shared,

when you came to sit on my lap,

or to walk through the park

or ride for miles,

and to laugh, or to cry or to pray, or to hope

or to chatter or to dream and to muse.

I hold you, now, while circumstances are frighteningly,

looming before and behind you.

I love you when you care about the strangest new in Bethel.

I love you when you care about the precious old of “The Honor Academy”.

As you know the way life is, you must go forward and not backward…

you can not go back…

so press on forward with purpose, strength, dignity, and direction.

I embrace you with my fatherly arms,

while you are leaving “The Honor Academy”

and when you are arriving at “The Bethel College”.

All of that, may ache your heart, just a little bit… even frighten you.

When leaving “The Honor Academy”

may be frightening to you, as you sense the loss,

realize, your life is eternally embraced, by Him and by me.

When leaving all those wonderful people,

things and places, now with lifelong meaning,

Permanently etched upon the soft pages of your precious heart,

I embrace you!

When arriving at “Sarah Bethel College”,

Willingly allow the page-leafs to turn in your “Book of Life”.

Enjoy this new wonderful chapter and begin reading.

Read with excited faith.

Read with hopeful anticipation.

Read with Godly love.

Read with anticipatory conviction.

Persist in your discovery of God’s will for your exceptional life.

Persevere in unearthing, innovating, and advancing Jesus’ kingdom.

As a forged leader for the new millennium

you are equipped at “The Honor Academy” and now prepared, go forth!

As each monthly challenge was specifically prepared for you,

at “The Honor Academy”, for this past long year of growth,

Through these ordeals, lessons, and endurances,

each test was hurled at you in very rapid succession.

Each test had its purpose.

Each only served to make you the better Christian,

so too, this is a comparable challenge.

This challenge is doable, endurable, conquerable,

though in this year, the toughest yet!

Now there is another, more wonderful chapter,

and a more exciting chapter opening up, before you.

Even better than the glorious, though challenging chapter

you are just now concluding.

You will meet the new people, the new things, and the new places with relish, and dignity.

In your “Book of Life”, this new episode will be soon a fond memory also.

With Christian character and with Godly substance

these will be new gifts from God to you.

They will give your life phenomenal magnitude.

God enhances your life with these brilliant colorful dimensions:

depth, breadth, height, and length.

And with them will come their lifelong meaning and impact,

also enhancing your life for ministry and service.

In God’s economy, all influences benefit, symbiotically and mutually… They on you and you on them.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NASB)
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. I speak wise comforting mature words to you, my darling child. I speak to you, both, on your leaving and on your arriving. You will not be overwhelmed.

I embrace you, Sarah Beth, and our God embraces us both!
En Agape, Sarah Beth from me, your Dad, Duaine

Our Dear Nicole,

Pamela, and I remember well when we were where you are now, in the transition from the familiar college structure, the routine college expectations, through to the new unfamiliar, the foreign and the somewhat fearful prospects looming before us and now you. Right now, you may at best, see this as daunting, and at worst defeating. Nicole, you may be momentarily daunted, but you most definitely, will not be defeated.

http://net. bible. org/verse. php?book=phi&chapter=1&verse=6

NLT © Bible Gateway Phi 1:6 And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

You are now educated, trained, and prepared for the “Call of God” upon your life, which you have been in college for. Like most others, you may wonder if, you are “Called of God”, if you know as much as you must know, if you should have study harder, and “Ad Infinitum, Ad Nauseum”!  STOP!

Do not let such thoughts course through your head, mind, or heart!

Your life-long walk with the Lord shall remain a walk of faith and not sight!

You must fly from this nest on your own wings, and soar over His creation and amaze with His marvels, glories, and His workings out of the lay of the land, even before you get there, ready for you!

You will further live astonished at the learned theories that not only do they work, but also you witness first hand that they are His irrevocable laws, and were written as theories, by your predecessors, walking the same journey as you.

Your life and ministry will confirm for your successors. In the very near future, you will look back on these moments of consternation that you stare at, right now, your current unknown future. In just these brief moments, just in front of you, and shortly you will embrace the now unknown.

Your embrace of your new life will be with a zest in zeal, with a love of life and life of love, with a faith in God and a God in your faith, and you will stand before your hearers with authority, conviction and confidence. You will declare His Holy Word with by your precepts and examples. You have studied your heroes and now you live and speak encouragement to your fans of you their hero.

Walk the talk. Live the Life. Teach the Truth. Don’t worry… be happy! Invite your fans to walk with you, eat with you, and study with you, like Jesus did. Don’t worry about theory, and thesis, just be Nicole. I love you, much. I pray for you fervently. Don’t be scared. Don’t cry too much. Don’t get down… get up!

And Nicole, please don’t forget that we are friends.

En Theos, En Agape, (In dynamic godly enthusiasm and in fervent Christian love, I write to you!)

Your preacher friends, Duaine (& Pamela)

http://www. preceptaustin. org/philippians_17-8. htm

Philippians 1:6. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect (3SFAI) it until the day of Christ Jesus. Amplified: And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (Amplified Bible – Lockman) KJV: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: NLT: And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. (NLT – Tyndale House) Phillips: I feel sure that the one who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: Having come to this settled and firm persuasion concerning this very thing, that He who began in you a work which is good, will bring it to a successful conclusion right up to the day of Christ Jesus; (Erdmans) Young’s Literal: having been confident of this very thing, that He who did begin in you a good work, will perform it till a day of Jesus Christ…”

Reverends Lester Duaine & Pamela Jeanne Allen
Agape Covenant Ministries

Post Office Box 223 Wellsboro PA 16901-0223 1-570-723-1956 Home/Office Duaine & Pamela Allen
10 Cole Street, Pinnacle Towers – Apartment 509 Wellsboro PA 16901-1229 1-570-723-1956 Home/Office